CCAMLR

Existing area-based conservation and management measures available under CCAMLR provide a broad conservation and management framework under which the entire CCAMLR Area could be considered to have a level of protection similar to an IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management) protected area. Category IV areas are defined as “subject to active intervention for management purposes so as to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/or to meet the requirements of specific species”. Recent discussion within CCAMLR forums has focused on the need for further protection to be afforded to inter alia, representative, vulnerable or scientific areas, and it has been noted that this type of protected area may have considerable potential for furthering CCAMLR’s objectives. Such additional protection might be established using CCAMLR’s existing provisions for closed areas and special areas for protection or scientific study. This would complement the existing area-based management system, and thus achieve additional benefits for fisheries and biodiversity conservation on an ecosystems basis.

South Africa is currently proclaiming a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of its sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. The objectives of the MPA are to: (1) contribute to a national and global representative system of MPAs; (2) serve as a scientific reference point to inform future management; (3) contribute to the recovery of the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides); and (4) reduce the bird bycatch of the toothfish fishery, particularly of albatrosses and petrels. This study employs systematic conservation planning methods to delineate a MPA within the EEZ that will conserve biodiversity patterns and processes within sensible management boundaries, while minimizing conflict with the legal toothfish fishery. After collating all available distributional data on species, benthic habitats and ecosystem processes, we used C-Plan software to delineate a MPA with three management zones: four IUCN Category Ia reserves (13% of EEZ); two Conservation Zones (21% of EEZ); and three Category IV reserves (remainder of EEZ). Compromises between conservation target achievement and the area required by the MPA are apparent in the final reserve design. The proposed MPA boundaries are expected to change over time as new data become available and as impacts of climate change become more evident.

Information on cooperation between CCAMLR and CITES for the past three years is summarised as background for Commission discussions of a request from the CITES Secretariat to consider submission of a report to CITES CoP14 on "illicit trade in toothfish products".